'Laila' effect: mercury may drop in Rajasthan

Cyclonic storm 'Laila', which battered coastal Tamil Nadu, may however turn out to be a boon in disguise for people in Rajasthan as it is expected to bring down the mercury by a few notches, giving respite to the citizens from the ongoing heat wave.

Cyclonic storm 'Laila', which battered coastal Tamil Nadu, may however turn out to be a boon in disguise for people in Rajasthan as it is expected to bring down the mercury by a few notches, giving respite to the citizens from the ongoing heat wave.

"There will be no adverse effect of cyclone Laila in the desert state, but mercury will slip by several notches for the next couple of days as it will bring moisture," state IMD director S S Singh told PTI.

Already moisture has been formed in eastern districts of Rajasthan mainly Jhalawar, Baran and Kota (Hadauti), he said.

In the last couple of days, mercury fell slightly due to passing of a western disturbance but it did not give any respite to people as the maximum in several areas continued to hover above the 40-degree mark.

Northwest monsoon would probably hit the state by June 18, the usual date of arrival, Singh said.

Jaipur today recorded a maximum temperature of 43.7 degree Celsius, while the mercury dipped to near 40 C in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar due to the disturbance, he said.